Sunday, October 12, 2008 - 6:00 am
This morning was spent showering, packing and cleaning up the stateroom and head we'd been using all week. We were off the boat and on our way to the airport by 8 am and in the air before 9 am. We flew in a very small airplane - just big enough for three people and their gear or four people with very little baggage. The first part of the flight from Paducah, KY to Quincy, IL took a little over 1-1/2 hours and was very smooth with clear skies. The second half, from Quincy to Mason City, took a little less time but we ran into clouds in central Iowa giving us a bumpier ride. We arrived at Mason City at 12:36 pm. The flight wasn't terrible, but both Gale and Maureen were happy to be on the ground at home. We unpacked, drove to Mason City for groceries, brought the groceries back home and then took off for Hampton so we could pick up Lucy at the vet's kennel. She had been staying with Dennis, Gale's park manager, until Friday when he dropped her off at the vet's so he could go camping with his girlfriend. Lucy was very happy to see us!
Thursday, October 23, 2008
Saturday, October 11, 2008 - 6:45 am
Gale and Mark brought the dinghy on board, checked the systems and we pulled anchor at 7:30 am. It was another gorgeous morning and we were expecting temperatures in the 80's again. Diane and Maureen worked on completing the parts inventory for the boat. Mark made an excellent tuna salad for lunch while Diane captained. In fact, Diane drove most of the afternoon while Gale and Mark worked on the dinghy and other projects around the boat.
We approached Lock 52 on the Ohio River late in the afternoon. The lockmaster was good enough to let us lock through in one of the chambers ordinarily reserved for barges because it was so close to getting dark and he wanted to help us get through before sunset. This is a very busy lock and there were many barges waiting for their turn in the chamber. By the time the lock gates were opened to let us out, the sun was setting and it was getting dark quickly. Our plan was to find the city dock at the end of Main Street in Paducah which was just past the bridge and behind Owens Island. With Adventure's spotlight, descriptions we had from reference materials and the various GPS units on board, we were able to guess where the dock should be. The greatest help of all was having our airplane pilot, Mark Halvorson, waiting for us on shore in his rental car flashing the headlights at us. Without his assistance, it would have been even more stressful than it was trying to find the dock. We secured Adventure at the town dock and put an end to the fishing that had been going on. There were probably four or five people fishing, but they indicated they were getting ready to quit anyway. One gentleman said he'd been there all day and only caught three fish.
We welcomed Mark Halvorson aboard and enjoyed some wonderful filets, roasted potatoes and squash and cocktails, of course. It had been a long day and Gale and Maureen were planning to fly out early the next morning, so we were all headed for bed right after dinner. Our total trip on the rivers (Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee) was about 700 miles in 8 days.
Gale and Mark brought the dinghy on board, checked the systems and we pulled anchor at 7:30 am. It was another gorgeous morning and we were expecting temperatures in the 80's again. Diane and Maureen worked on completing the parts inventory for the boat. Mark made an excellent tuna salad for lunch while Diane captained. In fact, Diane drove most of the afternoon while Gale and Mark worked on the dinghy and other projects around the boat.
We approached Lock 52 on the Ohio River late in the afternoon. The lockmaster was good enough to let us lock through in one of the chambers ordinarily reserved for barges because it was so close to getting dark and he wanted to help us get through before sunset. This is a very busy lock and there were many barges waiting for their turn in the chamber. By the time the lock gates were opened to let us out, the sun was setting and it was getting dark quickly. Our plan was to find the city dock at the end of Main Street in Paducah which was just past the bridge and behind Owens Island. With Adventure's spotlight, descriptions we had from reference materials and the various GPS units on board, we were able to guess where the dock should be. The greatest help of all was having our airplane pilot, Mark Halvorson, waiting for us on shore in his rental car flashing the headlights at us. Without his assistance, it would have been even more stressful than it was trying to find the dock. We secured Adventure at the town dock and put an end to the fishing that had been going on. There were probably four or five people fishing, but they indicated they were getting ready to quit anyway. One gentleman said he'd been there all day and only caught three fish.
We welcomed Mark Halvorson aboard and enjoyed some wonderful filets, roasted potatoes and squash and cocktails, of course. It had been a long day and Gale and Maureen were planning to fly out early the next morning, so we were all headed for bed right after dinner. Our total trip on the rivers (Mississippi, Ohio, Tennessee) was about 700 miles in 8 days.
Friday, October 10, 2008 - 6:45 am
It's going to be another sunny and warm day! Mark and Gale washed the bugs off the boat before casting off this morning. It was 8:30 am when we left the marina. When we got to Lock 27 above St. Louis we could see that the entrance was full of debris. There was no way around it so Mark headed in carefully and guided the boat around the bigger logs. There was actually a full grown deer floating with the trash! Yuk!! After the lock, we were headed through St. Louis and saw the Arch! This was a first for Maureen - whenever we have driven through St. Louis, Maureen has been driving and unable to do any sightseeing. Very cool!
Below St. Louis, the river became very wide, deep and fast. There was also a lot of barge traffic and big industrial operations along the river. Ordinarily Adventure travels at 10 kph, however, going down the river with the current, we were averaging 12 to 13 kph and made some very good time.
Diane made chicken stir fry for lunch. Late in the afternoon, Mark made hors d'oeuvres of lamb chops with a sweet sauce which were quite good. We covered over 100 miles today and then anchored behind a wing dam about 6 pm. After enjoying a nice steak dinner, we took the dinghy to the sandbar so Lucy (Holt's Morkie) could romp a bit. Mark and Diane brought a paper "wishing star" to the shore which they had picked up on a trip they made to Thailand three years ago. The four of us held on as Mark lit the "wick." Our wishes made, we let go of the star and watched it rise far up into the sky before its fire went out and we lost it to the night. What fun and what a perfect night to do this! To top off a perfect evening, we started a campfire on the beach and roasted marshmallows to make S'mores!
It's going to be another sunny and warm day! Mark and Gale washed the bugs off the boat before casting off this morning. It was 8:30 am when we left the marina. When we got to Lock 27 above St. Louis we could see that the entrance was full of debris. There was no way around it so Mark headed in carefully and guided the boat around the bigger logs. There was actually a full grown deer floating with the trash! Yuk!! After the lock, we were headed through St. Louis and saw the Arch! This was a first for Maureen - whenever we have driven through St. Louis, Maureen has been driving and unable to do any sightseeing. Very cool!
Below St. Louis, the river became very wide, deep and fast. There was also a lot of barge traffic and big industrial operations along the river. Ordinarily Adventure travels at 10 kph, however, going down the river with the current, we were averaging 12 to 13 kph and made some very good time.
Diane made chicken stir fry for lunch. Late in the afternoon, Mark made hors d'oeuvres of lamb chops with a sweet sauce which were quite good. We covered over 100 miles today and then anchored behind a wing dam about 6 pm. After enjoying a nice steak dinner, we took the dinghy to the sandbar so Lucy (Holt's Morkie) could romp a bit. Mark and Diane brought a paper "wishing star" to the shore which they had picked up on a trip they made to Thailand three years ago. The four of us held on as Mark lit the "wick." Our wishes made, we let go of the star and watched it rise far up into the sky before its fire went out and we lost it to the night. What fun and what a perfect night to do this! To top off a perfect evening, we started a campfire on the beach and roasted marshmallows to make S'mores!
Thursday, October 9, 2008 - 6:45 am
Mark and Gale were up early taking care of some chores in the engine room this morning. After completing their tasks, they took the dinghy out to do some fishing. The skies were bright and sunny and it felt like it was going to be a warm day. They didn't catch any fish, but they enjoyed their time on the water. We pulled anchor about 11 am and continued our southbound journey towing the dinghy behind the boat. While waiting to lock through one of the locks, Gale, who was piloting at the time, had to put the boat in reverse. We heard an unusual noise and realized the dinghy line had been cut. Fortunately, we were able to catch the bowline on the dinghy before it floated too far away and secure her to Adventure once again.
The afternoon warmed up into the 80's and we spent as much of our time outside as possible. We came into the marina at Alton, Illinois, just above Lock 26 and a short jaunt north of St. Louis, before 5 pm. After pumping out, we took an outside slip and had a great view of the highway bridge. Diane made margaritas and we enjoyed our drinks on the upper aft deck of the boat. After freshening our drinks, we walked the docks. Gale had spotted some "Loopers" when we came in and was interested in talking to them to hear where they've been and where they're headed. One couple was from McHenry, Illinois, and the other was from North Carolina.
After happy hour, we called the local grocery store and asked them to send their courtesy car to pick us up so we could gather a few provisions. Ian, a high school senior, was our man and he was good enough to run us back and forth, help carry the groceries into the boat and then deliver us to "Fast Eddie's Bon Air," a fun bar & grill, with a large open area and a live band. After consuming some chicken wings, beef kabobs and a few cocktails, Mark called Ian who was more than happy to pick us up and take us back to the boat. Ian was feeling pretty lucky that he had been working at the grocery store that night as Mark is a very generous tipper!
Mark and Gale were up early taking care of some chores in the engine room this morning. After completing their tasks, they took the dinghy out to do some fishing. The skies were bright and sunny and it felt like it was going to be a warm day. They didn't catch any fish, but they enjoyed their time on the water. We pulled anchor about 11 am and continued our southbound journey towing the dinghy behind the boat. While waiting to lock through one of the locks, Gale, who was piloting at the time, had to put the boat in reverse. We heard an unusual noise and realized the dinghy line had been cut. Fortunately, we were able to catch the bowline on the dinghy before it floated too far away and secure her to Adventure once again.
The afternoon warmed up into the 80's and we spent as much of our time outside as possible. We came into the marina at Alton, Illinois, just above Lock 26 and a short jaunt north of St. Louis, before 5 pm. After pumping out, we took an outside slip and had a great view of the highway bridge. Diane made margaritas and we enjoyed our drinks on the upper aft deck of the boat. After freshening our drinks, we walked the docks. Gale had spotted some "Loopers" when we came in and was interested in talking to them to hear where they've been and where they're headed. One couple was from McHenry, Illinois, and the other was from North Carolina.
After happy hour, we called the local grocery store and asked them to send their courtesy car to pick us up so we could gather a few provisions. Ian, a high school senior, was our man and he was good enough to run us back and forth, help carry the groceries into the boat and then deliver us to "Fast Eddie's Bon Air," a fun bar & grill, with a large open area and a live band. After consuming some chicken wings, beef kabobs and a few cocktails, Mark called Ian who was more than happy to pick us up and take us back to the boat. Ian was feeling pretty lucky that he had been working at the grocery store that night as Mark is a very generous tipper!
Wednesday, October 8, 2008 - 6:30 am
Everyone is up early again and we are going to have clear sunny skies today! There is a pretty good breeze making it feel like the temperature is about 45 degrees. The afternoon brought warmer temperatures and the wind calmed down so it was actually very nice sitting on the bow of the boat as we steamed down the river. We anchored the boat at 5 pm about 50 miles north of St. Louis in a beautiful cove near Sterling Island, MM 252. By 5:30 pm we were all in the dinghy and headed out to see the thousands of pelicans that were gathered on a few small patches in the middle of the river. On our way there, we explored some "cuts" back into what was called a hurricane hole - very quiet and protected waters. From there we headed up river at about 20 knots and suddenly there were fish flying in front of us, beside us and, most of all, in our wake. They were flying carp and hilarious to watch! One nearly landed in Diane's lap! It was an interesting ride. We really enjoyed this spot and hope to find it again someday.
Everyone is up early again and we are going to have clear sunny skies today! There is a pretty good breeze making it feel like the temperature is about 45 degrees. The afternoon brought warmer temperatures and the wind calmed down so it was actually very nice sitting on the bow of the boat as we steamed down the river. We anchored the boat at 5 pm about 50 miles north of St. Louis in a beautiful cove near Sterling Island, MM 252. By 5:30 pm we were all in the dinghy and headed out to see the thousands of pelicans that were gathered on a few small patches in the middle of the river. On our way there, we explored some "cuts" back into what was called a hurricane hole - very quiet and protected waters. From there we headed up river at about 20 knots and suddenly there were fish flying in front of us, beside us and, most of all, in our wake. They were flying carp and hilarious to watch! One nearly landed in Diane's lap! It was an interesting ride. We really enjoyed this spot and hope to find it again someday.
Tuesday, October 7, 2008 - 6:30 am
Everybody's up early again. The sky is overcast but the temperature isn't bad - maybe in the 50's. One instrument that Adventure does not have is an outside thermometer! The rain we thought we might get last night did not materialize. We had a little trouble pulling the anchor this morning as it ended up twisted around making it difficult to get into the cradle. After allowing the anchor to drop again, it came up just fine and we were on our way before 7 am. It rained much of the day - our first lockthrough was especially wet! The rain let up mid-afternoon and by the time we quit, the weather wasn't too bad. The last lock we passed through was at Keokuk where the water level was lowered over 35 feet. It was Maureen's first experience with floating bollards that you had to tie a line to rather than holding onto a line from the top of the lock. Just a couple miles south of the lock, we found an anchoring spot off the main channel and watched the fog roll in. Looking around us we could see house boats as well as other boats up on the shore, mangled docks, trees and utility poles with water lines about 20 feet up the trunk or pole, and a very muddy shore. The worker at the last lock had told us the river had risen 28 feet during the flood in late June.
We had been smelling the roast Diane put in the crockpot this morning and we were all more than ready to enjoy it for dinner. We watched the second presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain while we drank wine and ate popcorn with candy corn! Does life get any better than that??
Everybody's up early again. The sky is overcast but the temperature isn't bad - maybe in the 50's. One instrument that Adventure does not have is an outside thermometer! The rain we thought we might get last night did not materialize. We had a little trouble pulling the anchor this morning as it ended up twisted around making it difficult to get into the cradle. After allowing the anchor to drop again, it came up just fine and we were on our way before 7 am. It rained much of the day - our first lockthrough was especially wet! The rain let up mid-afternoon and by the time we quit, the weather wasn't too bad. The last lock we passed through was at Keokuk where the water level was lowered over 35 feet. It was Maureen's first experience with floating bollards that you had to tie a line to rather than holding onto a line from the top of the lock. Just a couple miles south of the lock, we found an anchoring spot off the main channel and watched the fog roll in. Looking around us we could see house boats as well as other boats up on the shore, mangled docks, trees and utility poles with water lines about 20 feet up the trunk or pole, and a very muddy shore. The worker at the last lock had told us the river had risen 28 feet during the flood in late June.
We had been smelling the roast Diane put in the crockpot this morning and we were all more than ready to enjoy it for dinner. We watched the second presidential debate between Barack Obama and John McCain while we drank wine and ate popcorn with candy corn! Does life get any better than that??
Monday, October 6, 2008 - 6:30 am
It seems warmer today - maybe 50 degrees this morning with partly cloudy skies. Gale and Mark were up early checking all the systems and making preparations for today's journey. We left Sabula about 7:30 am. It turned out to be a beautiful day with sunshine and temperatures in the 70's. Diane and Maureen did some cleaning inside the cabin. Diane tried out her new mini stair stepper and we even got in a little yoga session. We stopped earlier than usual tonight as it looked like there might be some weather coming in and anchored in a little cut by the Muscatine Power and Light plant. Mark and Diane had anchored here on their way up the river and knew there would be enough depth and some protection. Mark made pomegranate martinis and the guys did a little fishing off the stern. Gale caught several small fish and Mark caught a couple, too. We learned from Gale that sheepshead fish had "rocks" in their heads. He cut two "rocks" (these appeared to be calcium deposits) out of two fish and said we should each keep a pair in our pocket for good luck. Dinner was beef shish kabob, rice and salad. Maureen was ready to go to bed right after dinner and wasn't much help with the dishes and cleanup - must have been that martini!
It seems warmer today - maybe 50 degrees this morning with partly cloudy skies. Gale and Mark were up early checking all the systems and making preparations for today's journey. We left Sabula about 7:30 am. It turned out to be a beautiful day with sunshine and temperatures in the 70's. Diane and Maureen did some cleaning inside the cabin. Diane tried out her new mini stair stepper and we even got in a little yoga session. We stopped earlier than usual tonight as it looked like there might be some weather coming in and anchored in a little cut by the Muscatine Power and Light plant. Mark and Diane had anchored here on their way up the river and knew there would be enough depth and some protection. Mark made pomegranate martinis and the guys did a little fishing off the stern. Gale caught several small fish and Mark caught a couple, too. We learned from Gale that sheepshead fish had "rocks" in their heads. He cut two "rocks" (these appeared to be calcium deposits) out of two fish and said we should each keep a pair in our pocket for good luck. Dinner was beef shish kabob, rice and salad. Maureen was ready to go to bed right after dinner and wasn't much help with the dishes and cleanup - must have been that martini!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
